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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Jerusalem
This grace was not in part, but his power was in full perfection; for as he who plunges into the waters and is baptized is encompassed on all sides by the waters, so were they also baptized completely by the Holy Spirit. The water, however, flows round the outside only, but the Spirit baptizes also the soul within, and that completely. And why do you wonder at this? Take an example from matter, a simple and common example, but one that helps the ordinary person. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Having said that they should wait for the promise of the Father, which they had heard from the Lord, He added: "for John baptized with water," etc., and by this He clearly shows His distinction from John, and no longer as obscurely as before, when He said: "He who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he" (Matt. 11:11). Now He speaks clearly: "John baptized with water, but you… will be baptized with the Holy Spirit," and He shows that even they became greater than John, since they too would baptize with the Holy Spirit. …
Oecumenius
You will be baptized, he said, but not I will baptize, embracing meekness and fleeing arrogance: especially since John had previously taught this, saying: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire," (Matt. 3:11) it would be unnecessary for him to add this himself. But does he baptize without water by the grace from above? Certainly; for the principal thing is the Spirit, of which the water is also an effect, since Christ himself was also anointed without oil.
Western Saints
Bede
But you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. The apostles had not yet been baptized, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit, whom we understand they had already been baptized, either with John's baptism (as some suppose), or (what is more credible) with Christ's baptism. For the ministry of baptizing had not been such that it had baptized servants through whom others would be baptized, for the ministry of that memorable humility was not lacking, when He washed their feet. …
Bonaventure
Before the sending of the Holy Spirit, there was neither the full gift of the Holy Spirit for confirmation and public confession of the name of Christ, nor the plenary anointing of the mind for departure; therefore Christ only initiated and intimated these two Sacraments, namely confirmation and extreme unction. Confirmation he initiated by laying his hand on the little ones and by foretelling that the disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
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